Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei/HaChodesh
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei/HaChodesh Mevorchim Chodesh Nissan 24 Adar 5780/March 20, 2020 ONE AND A MILLION Today, we are all familiar with Rav Noach Weinberg and the incredible work he has done in initiating and revolutionizing the kiruv movement. But when he first set out with the dream of […]
Parshas Tetzaveh/Zachor – Purim 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tezaveh/Zachor PURIM 10 Adar 5780/March 7, 2020 ENHANCED LICENSE One of the more dreaded destinations these days is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It’s a place that many try to avoid as much as possible. But sooner or later a visit there is almost unavoidable. […]
Parshas Terumah 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Terumah 3 Adar 5780/February 28, 2020 STAUM’S BROTHER Growing up, I always felt like I was living in my older brother, Yitzie’s, shadow. Our personalities were quite different, and we didn’t look alike back then. But that didn’t change the fact that I was “Staum’s brother”. […]
Parshas Mishpatim 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Mishpatim/Shekalim Mevorchim Chodesh Adar 26 Shevat 5780/February 21, 2020 THE CANDY MAN CAN In case you aren’t aware, President Trump was impeached, put on trial, and has since been acquitted of the charges that led to his impeachment. As one person put it “from the […]
PARSHAS YISRO 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Yisro 19 Shevat 5780/February 14, 2020 G-D’S LAUGHTER I can’t say I’m very fluent in Yiddish, though I wish I was. Like many Orthodox Jews, I know “ah bissel”. From my years in Yeshiva and hearing derashos, I have gleaned more of the “shprach”. I know […]
PARSHAS BO 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Bo 5 Shevat 5780/January 31, 2020 ETERNAL ROYALTY It’s a fascinating story. Prince Harry, a member of the English royal family, and his wife, Duchess of Sussex, have informed his grandmother the Queen, and the world at large, that they no longer wish to perform their […]
PARSHAS VAERA 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vaera- Mevorchim Chodesh Shevat 27 Teves 5780/January 24, 2020 STEALING SIGNS Busted! It has now been verified that the Houston Astros cheated in the post-season on their way to winning the World Series in 2017. Yankees and Dodgers fans are particularly enraged and are calling for […]
PARSHAS SHEMOS 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Shemos 20 Teves 5780/January 17, 2020 Raf and the Daf[1] I am Raf. I do the Daf. That Raf he does Daf. I do not like Raf who does Daf. Would you like to join and do the Daf? I cannot Raf; cannot do the Daf! Would […]
PARSHAS VAYECHI 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayechi – Shabbas Chazak! 13 Teves 5780/January 10, 2020 THE MOMENT Like so many other Jews, the Staum family’s American roots begin on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. My grandparents all lived there, and until we moved to Monsey in September 1988, I myself grew up on […]
PARSHAS VAYIGASH 5780
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayigash 6 Teves 5780/January 3, 2020 LIGHT ON! It’s not something anyone wants to hear or see. While enjoying a Chanukah family get-together in Lakewood, NJ on Motzei Shabbos, I saw a message on my phone that made my heart drop: “Is everyone okay in […]